Sunday, April 26, 2009

I had to work on a Saturday, which took a good chunk of my day...and time away from my kids.

And let's face it, I'm still not used to spending so little time with them.

I've been a stay-at-home mom most of their life, although I've worked from home and/or been in classes part time at the University of Texas at different times. But, I've always been available for them.

And now that's changed. The change has mostly been for the good. I'm enjoying working in the business world. The boys are gaining more independence. But, a part of me grieves. It just does.

And this summer scares me.Last summer we went swimming almost every single day.

This summer I have to work.We do have an amazing trip to Disney World planned, but other than that, I have to work.And I Don't know what to do with them.I guess summer camps.And relatives.but it makes me sad.

So, this has all hit me this weekend.Along with feeling drained.And down.And lost.

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Not only did I trip on myself...I did a double-trip, almost falling flat on my facebut managed to recover only to trip again splashing my drinkbut not dropping it. It was graceful alright. In a buffoon, comedic way.

But the sweet young Vietnamese woman wanted to do more to me.She wanted to give me a manicure.I'm just so hard on my nails, I wasn't up for a manicure that day.

Then she looked at my eyebrows...and I could read the horror on her face.So, I let her have her way with me...I mean, my eyebrows.

I'm kind of surprised there was anything to wax or pluck away (she did both).I barely have any eyebrows at alland the hair that is there is really light.But apparently what was there needed tidying up.

Then she looked down..to my upper lip.

I almost started to cry.

I'm not hairy, people!But some errant hairs are standing up and making themselves seen.I'm devastated.

Bob Villa shares how to paint a room.Bobbi Brown shares how to apply lipstick.Peggy Post shares how to set a formal table.The Holiday Inn Housekeeper of the Year shares how to make a bed.You get the idea.

I randomly opened this book today to share an entry with you.

It's about Washing Your Hands by Julie Gerberding.(she's the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention aka CDC)

We all know how to wash our hands, right?Do you remember who taught you how?I don't.It's something I've done all my life.

When I was 15, I worked as a volunteer at the Children's Hospital in Austin, Texas.And the nurses there told me to wash my hands while singing "Yankee Doodle."Because the length of time it took to sing was adequate time to kill germs.

1. Wet your hands.2. Apply liquid or bar soap.3. Run your hands together vigorously to make a lather and scrub all surfaces (including between your fingers and under your fingernails).4. Continue to rub your hands together for 20 seconds. It takes that long for the soap and scrubbing action to dislodge and remove stubborn germs. Sing Happy Birthday TWICE as a timer.5. Rinse your hands well under running water.6. Dry your hands using a paper towel or air dryer.7. If possible, use your paper towel to turn off the faucet.

Seems basic?makes sense?

When to do it?before, during and after you prepare food.before you eat.after you use the bathroom.after handling animals or animal waste.when you or someone in your home is sick.when your hands are dirty.

So, my questions for you:

Have you been washing your hands correctly?Have you ever worked in a hospital?Or volunteered there?